Put or spread (a substance) on a surface.

'The first step is to prepare the surface by applying a mixture of mortar, sand and molasses.'

'Once the paint is applied to a surface, it should be able to stay there.'

'The other, the sport condition, affects the way the oil is applied on the surface of the lanes.'

'To control the growth of these organisms on boats, antifouling coatings are periodically applied to their surfaces.'

'The method is similar to what is called dry fresco in Europe, as the paints are applied to a dry surface, not wet plaster as in true fresco.'

'A roller is used to apply ink to the surface, which adheres to the drawn lines, but is repelled by the rest of the damp surface.'

'The coatings are applied to the interior surface of the window.'

'A mixture of bean paste and lime is applied to stencil patterns on the cotton before it is dyed with indigo.'

'An aluminum bronze coating is applied to one of the parts.'

'When used with insulated glass panels, the coating is applied to the outer surface of the inner skin.'

'smooth over with a cloth, applying even pressure'

'The visitors had discovered what the home side had singularly failed to do in the first half, that long territory guzzling kicks using the wind and slope would apply the pressure.'

'And, therefore, I feel now is the time to say we are against appeasement, and we have to apply pressure.'

'I will not be applying any pressure on Liam, it will solely be his decision.'

'The practitioner's feet are used to apply pressure along the recipient's back, arms and legs.'

'With college teachers and parents applying pressure on their wards to get high grades, soft skills such as communication and presentation have taken a backseat.'

'By mechanically applying an even pressure over the body, the squeeze chair creates a calming effect without the terror and over-stimulation of human touch.'

'The blood stained the silken cloth as he applied pressure to the wound.'

'It's up to them to apply pressure on the government - and on the newspapers to which they subscribe - to stop the threat.'

'As well as finger pressure, practitioners may use elbows, knees and even feet to apply pressure or massage to the correct points.'

'It is a very complicated process where we have to apply pressure.'

Give one's full attention to a task; work hard.

'I know this may sound like a difficult challenge but if you apply yourself to the task you can get a modicum of enjoyment from the dross in your mailbox.'

'I'm the kind of person that needs something to grasp my attention completely for me to apply myself fully - that's the good thing about my work, it's not at all taxing, so I can get away with less than 70% effort!'

'Now that was a task I could apply myself to with relish.'

'From the Eagles' perspective, the run into the finals is going to be an absorbing affair, as August is traditionally the time when players apply themselves to the task in earnest.'

'We know we are capable of beating a lot of teams provided we keep applying ourselves and working hard.'

'His inability to apply himself to a given task, however, resurfaces in less than a fortnight.'

'He said: ‘I want head teachers to be tough with teachers within their schools to make sure that the teachers are applying themselves to their tasks.’'